Women’s Resource Center
Mentoring Program
The Loyola Women’s Resource Center is proud to announce a new mentoring program for undergraduate women. Our program will pair an upperclass student—one who has already decided on a career track, or one who is still searching for the right profession—with a Loyola alumna, university employee (faculty or staff), or a community member. In a series of meetings and conversations, mentors will help the student gain an understanding of what is involved in starting a career and being a professional. Mentors are there to provide support, guidance, and opportunities for networking as well as making career decisions.
Mentors will come from the business, professional, or scientific world, community activism, or academia. Mentees will have the opportunity to find out about careers and career tracks, have direct contact with a role model, and have opportunities to network. Mentors will be able to pass on some of the lessons they have learned in their work life, as well as participate in the life of the university, and aid in the empowerment of women students. All mentors will participate in a short mentoring training session, and will have the support of the Women’s Resource Center and access to its resources.
The program’s goal is to provide students with a more personalized university experience, as well as develop professional networks and skills to transition successfully from school into the workplace. Students will also be encouraged to meet with other mentees to share experiences and information, and to participate in the activities of the Women’s Center. Mentors and mentees generally meet a few times during the semester to discuss the student’s plans for the future, arrange networking opportunities, or simply share experiences. Times, dates, and format of the meetings will be determined jointly by the mentor and mentee. The time commitment is two to four hours every month. To be admitted to the program, students apply in the spring or fall for the next semester. This is not an internship, so no credits will be given.
Benefits of Mentoring:
• Mentoring in a university setting offers professional, academic, and personal support, benefitting both mentor and mentee.
• Accomplished female mentors will model for Loyola students a variety of skills in communication, assertiveness, self-confidence, and leadership.
• Mentoring enriches a student’s learning through the experience and expertise of the mentor.
• Mentoring relationships have been identified as an important factor in career success.
• Supportive and trusting relationships provide the perfect opportunity to explore career choices and decisions.
• Mentoring creates a sense of community for all participants in the program, both mentors and mentees.
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